Director's Newsletter
A monthly update on recent activities and upcoming events
Directors Message
Last term, our teachers worked intensely on the curriculum design and details of this Primary curriculum can now be found of the on the website, click here to view. The Secondary curriculum will be on the website shortly followed by the ladders introduced to parents in the recent information sessions.
We are benchmarking our curriculum to the National Curriculum; adapting these to International standards. This is to provide a robust and consistent framework for the assessment and tracking of student progress. The curriculum has now been divided into steps – a learning journey, using 'learning ladders' which enable our students to take responsibility for their own learning. This provides the school with a benchmark which is regularly reviewed, as external benchmarks do not stand still!
What we mean about progress for your child
If our Internal and external assessment information shows that, in relation to their assessed starting points, students reach higher levels of attainment than predicted, then progress is outstanding.
How do we measure progress?
- When we observe that students make significant gains in their knowledge, skills and understanding, as measured against the learning objectives in lessons.
- They make links between subject areas demonstrating high levels of competence and applying their skills successfully in everyday and unfamiliar contexts.
- All groups of students, including those with special educational needs and low attainers, make similarly strong progress.
It is all about where they start from and where they are going to. The learning journeys that have been developed at Ajman Academy school are unique as they link knowledge, skills and understanding to lesson objectives – every lesson. They allow teachers and students to measure progress in a lesson and over time. They cater for all students with different start points. The progress is validated by the students, peers, teachers, via formative and external assessment.
Our intention is to update parents of student progress every 6 weeks.
Our students do not fail!
Introducing your New School Board Chairman - Dr. Karim Seghir, Ph.D
Dr. Karim Seghir is currently the Chancellor of Ajman University since the 1st of January 2017. A distinguished scholar, Dr. Seghir has served as Dean of the School of Business at the American University in Cairo (AUC) since July 2014. Dr. Seghir has also served as Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Administration at the AUC School of Business from June 2011 to June 2014 and was in charge of international accreditations, such as AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA, among other things. Dr. Seghir has an extensive and geographically diverse professional experience. Please click here to read Dr. Karim's full profile.
What's been happening at Ajman Academy
AJAC U12 Football Team
AJAC BasketBall Team
AJAC U10 ladies football team
Upcoming sporting events are as follows:
- Next week we will be taking around 50 students to take part on EISSA Athletics carnival at SES and a whole day of athletic events will be enjoyed by our secondary school students (primary athletics on 1st March).
- FS2 Isabella and PY2 Juliana will be taking part on IFK Khoyokushin Karate Championship in Dubai on Friday 17 February
- A group of students will be taking part on the J.P Morgans Dubai Tennis Championship on 20th and 27th February
- iGCSE PE girls will take part on Sharjah Ladies Club Neon run on Friday 24 February
AJAC Sports Day
Throughout the month of February we will embrace the power of sports with our Foundation Stage, Primary and Secondary School Sports Day. Over the month children will enjoy a full range of activities that our amazing PE Department have worked hard on. All parents were invited to attend with FS1 and FS2 classes on Thursday 9th Feb, from 09.00am - 11.00am.
All children have been organised into teams that they will represent for the event. Students rotate through a variety of fun activities with the main emphasis being participation in the events and good sportsmanship. Students have been practising at different levels and they look forward to sharing our enjoyment with you.
Please ensure that your Primary child wears the full sports uniform on the day and brings a water bottle, hat and sunscreen.
Contact Details
Email: school@ajmanacademy.com
Website: www.ajmanacademy.com
Location: Ajman - United Arab Emirates
Phone: 971 6 731 4444
Facebook: facebook.com/ajmanacademy
Twitter: @twitter_ajmanacademy
Council of International Schools
Ajman Academy is currently applying for membership with the Council of International Schools (CIS) - world renowned organisation which provides a self improvement framework for international schools which allows them to aim for and meet international standards of education, operation and management. They are a superb organisation and we will go from strength to strength as a result of our association with them. A member of the Council of International Schools with visit AJAC this May to see our progress so far and provide recommendations for further growth.
Over the next 18 months we aim will then work towards accreditation through a process of self-study, planning and inspection. Soon we will seek your feedback on why you have chosen Ajman Academy for your children and what you see as our strengths and special character.
We have many staff who are very experienced with this process and who will guide the school through to accreditation through ongoing self improvement.
EAL Training programme
We have recently begun an intensive EAL Training programme for all class teachers. This represents 50 hours of training and is based on 12 years of research and is developed by the South Australia Government. It is very practical and provides teachers with a rigourous approach to supporting EAL students. The training is lead by Mr Michael Bucksmith and staff are enthusiastic and children are already enjoying the benefits of the training. More information can be found by clicking here. The programme focuses on understanding the strengths and background of the children and providing appropriate and challenging support for each child. The approach work well with our newly developed curriculum and proven to be successful in many schools around the world.
Primary Mid-Year Reports
By Monday 13th February all PY3 - PY6 parents who attend the Parent Student Teacher conference will have received their child(ren)'s GL assessment report. In order to support you as you learn more about GL Assessment we will endeavour to share all the information you need to understand the reports, they are designed for easy interpretation; with clear narrative and straightforward graphs.
Individual report for parents
This report provides an overview of the test to ensure parents are aware of what the test contains a snapshot of where their child's strengths lie, this is designed to aid comunication with parents and can be used to reinforce learning activities at home. The report includes
- A short narrative about the results, as well as suggestions on how parents can support their child's learning at home.
- Progress will be shown as a standard score and a bar graph that relates to students age-related expectation.
PY1 and PY2: Will have a verbal discussion with teacher about the data.
PY3 through to PY6: Parents will receive a hard copy of English, maths and cognitive ability test results (CAT 4).
Your child's mid-year report will contain three (3) progress descriptors:
- G = students are making greater than expected progress against their age related expectation
- S = students have made some progress from their individual starting points this year
- M = students are meeting the expectation for their age
For English, Mathematics, Arabic and Islamic, we will provide specific next steps for the student's learning and for the PYP unit of inquiry we will update parents on their child’s active learning.
For more detailed information on GL Assessments click here
Secondary School Extension
New Primary School Science Lab
Incyte International visit Ajman Academy
The purpose of the visit is to improve the quality of learning rather than our teaching. They assist and coach our learning leaders to be able to observe and discuss all aspects of students learning. They will assist us to personalise student ownership and empower the students to assist each other in their learning supported by peer assessment. Malcolm said 'the most exciting thing is seeing how this program impacts the children and how our expectations will be blown away by what they can do'.
PY1 - PY3 Sports Day
Ajman Academy is pleased to invite you to its Annual Primary School Sports Day on Tuesday February 14th, 2017, from 8.30a.m-12.30p.m.This event is designed to promote health and fitness through fun activities. Students will be organised into House teams and will participate in a range of activities, practising different skills learned already, this year during their PE lessons.
Tuesday, Feb 14, 2017, 09:00 PM
Ajman Academy - Ajman - United Arab Emirates
PY4 - PY6 Sports Day
Tuesday, Feb 21, 2017, 09:30 AM
Ajman Academy - Ajman - United Arab Emirates
Directors Office Open Day
Wednesday, Feb 15, 2017, 01:00 PM
Directors Office Ajman Academy
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Secondary Afternoon Tea
Thursday, Feb 23, 2017, 11:30 AM
Ajman Academy - Ajman - United Arab Emirates
Our steps to becoming an Eco-School
Key School Days in February
Thursday 16th and Sunday 19th half-term break
Parent Teacher Conferences
Ajman Academy Student Council
Ajman Academy students now have the opportunity to have a powerful and meaningful input as to what happens in their school. The Student Council was initiated by Dr Tassos' desire to know about student ideas and opinions, ensuring their voice was valued and heard. Representatives from all year groups now meet on a weekly basis with Ms. Carolina Fuentes (Secondary), Mr Michael Bucksmith (Primary). A group of supporting staff also help in the development of the group leadership skills by empowering each member to lead the strengthening of education at Ajman Academy.
The Student Council is currently working on various projects with the top on the list being International Day, trips and improving communication at all levels. Students are thus enabled to be part of the planning and gain a sense of belonging, developing their leadership skills while increasing positive relationships with peers, teachers, school leadership and the broader community.
Head Girl - Maysam Mohammed Alsamra Year 11 student
Hello, my name is Maysam Mohammed Alsamra, I study in Ajman Academy, being the Head Girl is hard but enjoyable at the same time. I recognise the significant and demanding nature of this role. I embraced this role and I hope I am able to provide a valued interface between the teachers and students. Being Head Girl means I can go the "extra mile" for others; I envisage setting up a drop in advice ‘clinic’ for younger students who perhaps feel they could not approach a member of staff; I hope to offer guidance and support, as I strongly believe that a problem shared is a problem halved. I believe I have always set an example; I am passionate, approachable, determined, motivated and above all, genuine. I really hope I can help change the school in a positive way. I would try my hardest to make sure that younger members of our school were able to enjoy themselves in an environment where they can flourish.
Head Boy - Khalid AlHosini Year 11 student
Driven by passion, I applied for the position of being the Head Boy of my school. I believe in order to be Head Boy, you must care not only about the appearance and reputation of the school, but the people inside of it. I wanted to make a huge impact on the environment around me and lead my fellow peers to success, not just in school, but also in their everyday lives. I am a helpful and trustworthy student who not only takes pride in his work, but takes pride in his fellow students and the working environment. I am passionate about what I do and I am ready to openly face any challenges that I may be faced with.